Fighting Frenzy: The Fists of Shenmue II

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By Hilary Goldstein

By now you're aware that Shenmue II is coming this November to Xbox and that the game is an updated port of the Japanese Dreamcast game, which came out a year prior. So let's not get bogged down in those details. And heck, if you want to know the story of Shenmue II, check our previous coverage for more on the plight of Ryo. We're not here to talk about a son's vengeance or all the cool people you can talk to in Hong Kong or the myriad of mini-games -- this is all about the fighting.

Free Battle features:

Utilizes the Virtua Fighter 4 engine

Take on several combatants at once

Over 50 moves to use

Learn new moves as you progress through the game

The more you practice the better each move becomes

Shenmue was originally planned as a Virtua Fighter role-playing game. So the main VF assets never made it, but there's one area of the Shenmue series that owes a lot to the Virtua Fighter franchise. Most Free Battles pit Ryo against several opponents. This means you'll have to keep moving, watch your back, and maneeuver yourself into the best positions possible.

Fighting is not taken lightly in Shenmue II. Though you could make your way through many fights by just kicking and clawing, learning the moves, practicing, and utilizing them properly will net you better and more fantastic results.

The controls are simple enough. The triggers make you run around (coward), Y dodges/parries, X punches, A kicks, and B throws. Combos are done in a similar fashion to Virtua Fighter. The use of the directional buttons and the various face buttons can result in dozens and dozens of different moves. This is clearly the most complex fighting system to ever grace a game of this type. No more Streets of Rage one and two button moves, this plays like a 3D fighting game.

Ryo's health is measured by a ring of dots in the bottom left corner of the screen. When injured, Ryo will slowly heal during the fight as long as he doesn't take damage. This is a representation of Ryo's stamina. So if you get your butt whooped, you can try and stay clear of baddies for a little bit to replenish your health.

You start Shenmue II with over 50 moves. There are plenty more moves you can learn in the game. Each move is rated for power and speed. Rather than a standard RPG where you gain overall levels, in Shenmue II you gain experience in each move the more you use it.

Below you'll find a list of every move you begin the game with, including how to perform the move and a short description. Some moves share the same command and must be set in the in-game menu. And check out the screens and movies showing off several fights in Shenmue II.

Ryo's move list:

Tiger Knuckle: A jab to the face. (X)

Rain Thrust: Straight punch aimed at the neck. (Right-X)

Elbow Slam: Downward blow aimed at opponent's collarbone. (Right-X)

Upper Knuckle: Rising strike to the jaw. (Left-X)

Twist Knuckle: Sweeping hook. (Left-X)

Elbow Assault: An elbow slam to an opponents chest. (Right-Right-X)

Rising Flash: Powerful uppercut. (Left-Left-X)

Twin Blades: Downward smack followed by an upwards cross. (Right-Left-X)